MANILA — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) will suspend the inspection of business establishments in the country during the holiday season.

The move seeks to prevent the agency’s employees from receiving bribes or gifts from private companies.

According to Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod, the inspection being conducted by Labor Law Compliance Officers (LLCOs) in different companies nationwide will be suspended from December 8, 2017 to January 7, 2018.

“We are suspending the inspection of business establishments from December 8 to January 7, 2018,” he said in an interview.

He reminded business establishments to report anybody who will claim to conduct assessment during the said period.

“If there are inspections that will be conducted, call us because those are not authorized,” Maglunsod said.

The DOLE conducts an assessment of business establishments nationwide to determine whether companies are complying with general labor standards and occupational health and safety measures in workplaces. (PNA)